[woodsyi]

It's time to upgrade my Onkyo PR-SC 885.  I saw the Elac atmo speakers being offered and got to thinking I should get the 11.2 processor.  I already ordered the LCR (old Polk crapped out) from Elac and I can easily get 2 pairs of Atmo speakers to go 11 channels. 

OneCall through NewEgg has Onkyo PR-CS 5530 R for 1399.00 shipped and no tax.  Is this the best bang for the buck?  If not, what is?  Marantz AV7702 at 1195.00?  Anything else?

[Phil A]

You can look at places like here too - they are authorized dealers - http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marav7702/marantz-av7702-multichannel-a/v-preamplifier-dolby-atmos/1.html

[woodsyi]

You can look at places like here too - they are authorized dealers - http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/marav7702/marantz-av7702-multichannel-a/v-preamplifier-dolby-atmos/1.html

Good, Phil.  So Marantz AV7702 can be had for 1149 which makes Onkyo 250 more.  Is it worth it?  I am partial to Onkyo because I've had good experience with the brand.  I haven't used Marantz for HT before. 

[Phil A]

Good, Phil.  So Marantz AV7702 can be had for 1149 which makes Onkyo 250 more.  Is it worth it?  I am partial to Onkyo because I've had good experience with the brand.  I haven't used Marantz for HT before.

Rim - I have gotten out of the HT processor loop (in favor of preamps with HT Bypass and a receiver) but I do like Onkyo for HT (I have an Onkyo 1008 receiver that was in my old basement system I got from accessories4less.com years back that I now use in the main system and I bought it since I bought an Integra pre/pro for the main system in the old place and was impressed by the sound on HT).  I am in process of trading speakers in a secondary system and when I get that done I'm probably going to decide what speakers to use in a room I current have my old B&Ws in (I'm getting GR Research N3 floorstanders) and then pull the trigger on a Marantz SR5010 for that room.  I'm going to do 11.2 (had in-ceilings installed last spring for Atmos or DTS X) in the main system (and I'll likely wait until more stuff is available before I pull the trigger on a receiver there).  I use the main system like I did it the old house, more for 2-channel music and it also can do HT (I have a 3D Projector) so I don't care about multi-channel music in it as much so I'd probably lean towards Onkyo at this point.  For the secondary system, the room is kept dark so it is more like my daytime HT and I do have an Oppo 103 with multi-channel DSD files among other things attached to a hard drive so I'd lean more towards the Marantz since I'd probably play multi-channel music a few times a year.  I have an old Marantz SR6003 in there now.

[JoshK]

I went from an Onkyo NR905 to the Marantz AVP-7702.  It's a pretty clear upgrade for me, but I didn't really try to A/B them closely as it was kind of awkward in my setup.   The ease of setup is big step forward in the latest gear.   I think they are both great brands, but after doing my research I leaned toward Marantz in the latest models.

[jarcher]

I've liked Marantz in the past - but the AV7702 doesn't have HDCP 2.2, so if you do plan to do 4K be aware that most likely the content - unless it's streamed directly to your set - will likely require HDCP 2.2 (think UHD blue ray players). If you're going to stay squarely in 1080p and lower until your next pre-pro, then the Marantz would be fine. The Marantz's in the past have tended to sound a bit more "musical" and less "hi-fi" than other mass market brands - but I think that's changing over time and they are beginning to sound more like their sister company Denon. Onkyo (and sister co. Integra) on the other hand veer more in the opposite direction - which might be ok for action movies and gaming, but could get more fatiguing for concert videos. The amp and cabling you plan to pare it with may also influence your decision. Ie if your amp + cabling veer more towards the dark (eg Theta + Audioquest), then the Onkyo may be best. If the other (say Krell / Bryston + Nordost / some Kimber), then Marantz may be better.

Lastly I've found the room correction software from Audyseey that Marantz uses usually to give good results. The Pioneer MCACC (?) also seems to work well. This software is pretty important for less than ideal rooms when your running so many speakers + sub(s). I can't comment on how good Onkyo's equivalent, AccuEQ Room Calibration, works as I don't have first hand experience.


Hope that helps!

[sfox7076]

I would get one of the new Anthems coming out.  http://www.hometoys.com/news/2015/10/15/cedia--anthem-introduces-all-new-avm-60-preamplifier-processor--matching-mca-series-amplifiers/32479/

[tvyankee]

Hey.

I have heard the Integra Audio stuff in the past and does sound very good. I have a marantz av7005 and it sounds much better. Good luck.

[bjski]

I have an Onkyo PRSC 5530. I purchased it because Onkyo was offering me $230 towards a new unit. Onkyo decided to make this offer when all their HDMI boards were going bad. I had the new unit for about 6 weeks & it started acting up. I took it into a service center. They had the unit for one month couldn't replicate the problem. They just decided to replace the HDMI board. ( I believe the problem is in the relays) I would get a picture no sound however it would show that Dolby digital is working. Replaced all HDMI cables. I just need to do something to get the relays to switch and then the sound comes on.

Onkyo customer support has been terrible. Spent $5000 on 2 preamps that don't work. All I'm asking is for Onkyo to take the unit in fix it,replace it or give me money back. Must have spoken to Onkyo customer service 15 times.Sorry for the rant.
Cheers

[ajzepp]

I have an Onkyo PRSC 5530. I purchased it because Onkyo was offering me $230 towards a new unit. Onkyo decided to make this offer when all their HDMI boards were going bad. I had the new unit for about 6 weeks & it started acting up. I took it into a service center. They had the unit for one month couldn't replicate the problem. They just decided to replace the HDMI board. ( I believe the problem is in the relays) I would get a picture no sound however it would show that Dolby digital is working. Replaced all HDMI cables. I just need to do something to get the relays to switch and then the sound comes on.

Onkyo customer support has been terrible. Spent $5000 on 2 preamps that don't work. All I'm asking is for Onkyo to take the unit in fix it,replace it or give me money back. Must have spoken to Onkyo customer service 15 times.Sorry for the rant.
Cheers

If I were you, I'd call the state attorney general. They often have consumer protection reps that can go to bat for you when you've tried to resolve an issue on your own. I've done that twice in the past 18 years and had good results both times.